Mother Nature's Winter Rhythm Mother Nature is a lively,
Joyful lady who is always giving and sharing with everyone.
She loves a rainbow of colours and looks cheerful every day in blue and white or yellows and oranges,
Sometimes even purple and pink.
During the day,
Ma Nat,
As the forest folk lovingly call her,
Is teaching the young creatures,
Visiting the wise ones and helping the busy workers.
Everyone's needs are always met.
At night time,
As the day sounds quietened and stillness settles in,
Ma Nat lets her long,
Long hair flow loose and free,
Enveloping all with a sense of peace.
Her warmth and love provides a restful night's sleep.
Ma Nat's children are similar to her.
They love to care for all the beings in the world.
Bhima,
The sun,
Gives warmth and helps with growth.
He also sends courage to those who need it.
Sky,
Air,
Gives good health and she is able to easily clear away misunderstandings.
Ripple,
The water,
Gives liquid for thirstiness.
She washes away hurt and sadness and can make you feel better after just one sip.
And then there is Rocky,
The earth,
Who is so full of life.
Every day he gives everyone a hearty meal filled with lots of goodness.
Whenever anyone needs help of any kind,
Rocky is the one they turn to.
He never complains and is only too glad to give all he can.
Naturally,
Ma Nat is proud of her children and says she couldn't survive without them.
She loves the rest of her family very much too.
Every night her brothers and sisters send her light through their twinkling stars,
Moonbeams and sometimes even a flying comet.
Ma Nat's grandchildren are her pride and joy.
She has so many that one would expect her to lose count.
But she knows each one by name.
Good morning,
Pansy,
She greets,
Stroking the soft petals.
So lovely to see you,
Little Lily.
And are you enjoying the sun today,
She asks the brightest sunflowers.
Ma Nat's favorite sight is her grandchildren and butterfly friends dancing under the spotlight of Bema.
She chuckles at how the growing sunflowers seem to be twirling in yellow skirts as their petals sway in unison with sky breezing by.
When Ripple sends a drink to the thirsty little flowers,
They all sigh in delight.
At night they snuggle down contentedly into the earth,
Feeling safe in Rocky's home.
This joyful circle of life continues for days,
Weeks and months,
Until one day,
Bema does not wake up as early as he usually does.
Forest folk do not notice that they are now sleeping longer than they do in the other months.
They follow Ma Nat's rhythm without question.
They understand she does no best.
The young sunflowers,
However,
Are not used to this change and they chatter worriedly amongst themselves.
Whatever can be the matter with Bema?
Asks one.
Oh,
Never mind that old hothead,
Snaps another.
What about my lovely dress?
It is falling to pieces.
I hardly have any petals left.
Ripple is visiting us a bit too much lately,
Cries the youngest sunflower.
Sometimes I feel as if I am drowning.
The next day is colder than ever,
So the flowers call their grandmother over to ask for her help.
On hearing their complaints of cold,
Floods and lack of clothing,
Ma Nat hoots with laughter.
My dearies,
This is winter.
Look,
Even your Uncle Jack Frost has come to visit today.
Sure enough,
Uncle Jack had left his gift of icicles on the grass and leaves.
This is the time of year when all creatures in forest folk hibernate.
It is also a time when you can catch up on your beauty sleep.
For come springtime,
An even more glorious set of clothes will be provided for each of you.
The flowers gasp in disbelief and happiness.
So we just need to make it through the winter,
And then life will be back to normal.
Oh,
Come on spring,
Come on spring,
They all chant.
Hush now,
Soothes Ma Nat.
Winter is a very important time for your body,
Mind and soul.
It allows you to relax and refresh yourself.
I know spring is fun.
Winter is enjoyable too.
A season brings a time of slowing down and noticing all that is around you.
Sometimes when we are so busy playing and growing,
We do not see the beauty and love all around us.
The flowers become very quiet as they ponder this new information.
I will let my children explain,
Says Ma Nat.
Life is about what you are doing now,
Sings Ripple as she trickles down the leaves.
And if you wait for spring,
You will miss winter,
Adds Skye as she floats by.
Enjoy each moment,
Bellows Beemer from way up high.
And remember,
Mumbles Rocky from below,
Life is an adventure.
Suddenly the flowers are glad for winter to be here.
Instead of complaining about the cold,
They deeply inhale the fresh air.
Savouring the crisp taste of the water and appreciating the different shades of the colours all around.
Standing tall and proud,
They solemnly bow their heads as their grandmother kisses each of them and wishes them a good rest.
You see,
Whispers Ma Nat,
When you change the way you look at things,
The things you look at change.
